In a significant blow to Manchester's nightlife scene, the prominent UK bar chain Simmons has permanently shuttered its city centre venue after operating for merely eighteen months. This closure represents one of five locations recently shut down by the chain, which now operates just fifteen bars exclusively in London following this latest development.
A Sudden End to Northern Expansion
The Manchester branch, which opened with considerable fanfare in October 2024, marked Simmons' ambitious first foray outside the capital and its sole northern location. The closure was announced abruptly through a printed statement affixed to the venue's windows, leaving patrons and staff with little warning about the venue's fate.
The heartfelt message from management explained: "After much consideration, we've made the difficult decision to close our doors. It's never easy to say goodbye. We're incredibly proud of what the team built here and so grateful to them, as well as everyone who joined us over the past year."
Customer Reaction and Financial Pressures
Regular visitors expressed disappointment at the sudden closure, with one local drinker commenting: "Gutted to see it go. It was always busy at weekends and had such a fun vibe." This sentiment contrasts sharply with the financial reality facing the chain, which recorded substantial losses of £749,000 for the year ending March 2024.
The chain, renowned for its distinctive pink fluorescent neon lighting and retro interior design aesthetic, entered administration proceedings in August 2025. This financial restructuring led to the announcement that at least four of its twenty-one venues would close, with the Manchester location becoming the fifth casualty in this contraction strategy.
Broader Hospitality Industry Challenges
Kate Nicholls, chair of industry body UKHospitality, has highlighted how Simmons' closures reflect wider systemic issues affecting Britain's hospitality sector. She warned that such developments signal 'the hollowing out of our high streets and communities' across the country.
"Sadly the news of further closures and business failures is all too common at the moment," Nicholls explained. "Our last survey showed that half of London hospitality businesses are operating at or below break even – up from a third since the Budget."
Economic Realities and Recovery Struggles
The hospitality leader identified multiple compounding factors creating what she describes as an unsustainable business environment: "That's because the costs of doing business – rent, rates, employment – are much higher in the Capital but we have yet to see footfall and visitor numbers recover to pre-Covid levels."
Nicholls presented a stark assessment of the current situation: "Put simply the money coming through the front door is not enough to cover costs and as a result businesses are running out of road – they are being literally taxed out of existence."
Historical Context and Future Prospects
Founded in 2012 when entrepreneur Nick Campbell opened the first Simmons bar beneath his King's Cross flat, the chain expanded rapidly across London before attempting its northern expansion with the Manchester venue. The closure statement left a glimmer of hope for future return, noting: "We love Manchester, and we hope to be back under the right conditions."
This development raises serious questions about the viability of hospitality businesses in city centres beyond London, particularly as chains face unprecedented operational cost increases alongside changing consumer habits and incomplete post-pandemic recovery.
